Broken-circuit indicator



Jan. 13, 1931. 1 E. L. SCHULTZ ,7

' BROKEN CIRCUIT INDICATOR Filed March 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 13,1931. SCHULTZ 1,788,597

BROKEN CIRCUIT INDICATOR Filed March 19. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 4 Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES ERNEST L. SCHULTZ, OF ERWINNA, PENNSYLVANIA BROKEN-CIRCUIT INDICATOR Application filed March 19, 1928. Serial No. 262,911.

This invention relates to a broken circuit indicator and is designed primarily for use upon motor vehicles for the purpose of ind1- eating to the vehicle operator the existence 5 of a broken circuit as for example a circuit in which any one of the vehicle signal lamps is located.

7 The primary object of the invention is to provide a convenient means for indicating 10 through the illuminating of a lamp upon the vehicle dash board, the existence of a broken electric circuit, the indicating means remaining inactive so long as the circuit in which it is connected, is unbroken.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel means for grouping a series of signal lamp circuit controlling devices in a small space where any one thereof will be readily accessible for any necessary attention.

Numerous other objects'a-nd advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and the invention vwill be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the present invention with the understanding, however, that theinvention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showingof the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows the signal mechanism cas-, ing embodying a portion of the present invention, in side elevation.

Figure 2 is a face view of the signal panel which forms one end of the mechanism casing and which is directed toward -the observer. I

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section of the casing shown in Figure 1. I

Figure ,4 is a section taken substantially upon the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a central longitudinal section taken through the signal casing in a planein' right angles to the plane in which the section shown in Figure 3 is taken.

Figure 6 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the indicator system. V

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals of reference indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates a casing or housing in and across one end of which there is-positioned a partition 2 on the outer face 60 of which a series of incandescent electric 'lamps3 is mounted, the bases 4 of these lamps being secured in the sockets 5 which are formed upon and. project rearwardly from the partition wall 2 as shown in Figure 3.

Division walls 6 are provided which divide the forward end of the casing 1 into a number of compartments, one compartment for each incandescent lamp, the number in the present instance being three. Over the end 7 of the casing 1 in which the lamps 3 are-positioned there is placed a translucent plate 7 upon the face of which suitable indicia may be placed such as for example the letters L, R, T indicating respectively left headlight, right headlight, and tail light. It is of of the partition 9 is a plurality of electromagnet coils 10 each of which has the core 11 formed to extend through the partition 9' and exposed upon the upper face thereof as indicated at 12. Upon the upper face of the partition 9 adjacent each core is one of a plurality of contacts 13, 14 and 15 each of these contacts being mounted upon the partition 9 to overhang the adjacent core 12 as clearly shownin Figures 3 and 5.

Secured to the partition 9 adjacent each contact and between the same and the adjamatures 16, 17 and '18 each of which, when cent core 12, is one ofa plurality of spring ar- -the adjacent electro-magnet is de-energized, contacts with the overlying contact member.

Each of the electro-magnets is in a circuitwhich has one of the lamps 3 therein as for example one magnet is in the circuit line 19 leading to the lamp R, another ma net is in the circuitline 20 leading to the hea lamp L and the third magnet is in the circuit 21 which leads to the rear lamp T, each of.

these circuits bein controlled by the three way switch 22 whic is connected through the line 23 with a source of power such as a storage battery 24. It will be seen upon reference to Figure 6 that upon closing the switch 22 each of the lines 19, 20 and 21 will be closed dicated at 28.

and current will flow from the batte 24 to the lamps R, L and T from w ich it will return through the ground connections 25, one side of the battery 24 being grounded in the usual manner as indicated at 26.

Each of the lamps 3 is in an individual circuit of which a contact member as for' example the member 13, and an armature, as

for example the armature 16, forms a part,"

each of t ese si'gnal lamp circuits being indicated generally by the numeral 27. The

armature of each si nal lamp circuit is connected with a circuit 19, 20 or 21 while one side of the signal lamp 3 is grounded as ,in- From this it will beunderstood that when the switch 22 is closed and any one of the circuits 19, 20 or 21 is broken the current instead of flowing through the electro-magnet to a lamp associated therewith, will flow through an armature and its 1 adjacent contact to the-associate signal lamp 3 thus lighting this lamp and indicating that the associate one ofthe vehicle lamps is out of order. If all of the vehicle lamps are in workin order and the circuits leading'thereto are c osed, each of the electro-magnets 10 will be energized upon the closing of the switch 22 and each of the armatures 16, 17

and '18 will be drawn downwardly againstthe adjacent magnet core 12 thus maintaining the circuits 27 in 0 on condition. It will main close be readily understoo from the foregoing that as lon as the circuits 19, 20 and 21 rethe signal lamp 3 will be unlighted butas soon as one of these circuits gized the associate armature will be released dash board contacting portion 31 w ich'is and will close the associatecircuit 27 illuminating the particular signal lamp therein.

The casing 1 may be secured in any ap roriate manner tothe vehicle dash boar gas or example by 'means of bracket member's'29 and 30. The bracket'30 as showncom rises a carried b anelongated arm 32, the arm being attac ed to-the band 33 which surrounds the casing adjacent the end opposite the end through which the signal lamps 3 are seen.

In this manner the rear or free end of the casing is suitably supported.

While the arrangement shown in Figure 3 for positioning the electro-magnet and associate elements, islpreferred by the applicant it is of course to be understood that this particular arrangement of the parts is not essential, and apphcant does notwish to be limited to the showing of the drawings. It is to be understood also that the present invention might be employed to operate a single pilot light for all circuits or any other suitable type of indicating devicesuch as a buzzer or ranged at one side of said second member-and having the terminals of its core assing throu h said member, a contact secure to the opposite side of said second member, a conductor connecting the contact to one terminal of the lamp, said contact having a por- 'tion thereof arranged in opposed relation to the terminals of the core, a spring armature secured at one end to said last named side of said second member and having its free end arranged'between the terminals of the core and the contact, means connecting the arma- Jture to the source of current, said electromagnet controlling said armature for releasing the armature to engage the "contact for closing the lamp circuit on de-energization of I the magnet, a casing within which said parts are arranged, and a transparent panel carried by 't e casing and through which the lamp is visible.-

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ERNEST L. SCHULTZ.-

I is broken and the magnet becomes de-ener- 

